FIFA has confirmed it will not be scrapping its newly created Peace Award, despite the controversy surrounding its first recipient, former US President Donald Trump. The award was presented to Trump in December, just weeks before a significant geopolitical event involving Venezuela.
FIFA's Award and American Market Clout
World football's governing body is thought to be unmoved by calls to reconsider the award's future, with insiders revealing plans to name a second recipient later this year. The decision underscores FIFA's current trajectory, which appears closely aligned with the lucrative American sports market.
This relationship is further highlighted by extraordinary ticket prices for major events in the US. The upcoming College Football Playoff national championship in Miami, for example, sees the cheapest tickets priced at a staggering £2,822, with better views costing nearly £4,000.
Channel 4's AFCON Triumph
In UK broadcasting, Channel 4's gamble on securing exclusive free-to-air rights for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has paid off handsomely. Ahead of the quarter-finals, linear TV coverage has reached four million viewers, with an additional 2.7 million views online.
Perhaps most significantly for the broadcaster, the tournament has driven a 229 per cent increase in its young audience. The semi-finals, featuring Senegal vs Egypt and Nigeria vs Morocco, will be broadcast this Wednesday on E4 and via Channel 4's streaming services.
Stadiums and Security Incidents
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is financing a major renovation of Athens' historic Panathenaic Stadium, the centrepiece of the first modern Olympics. The Greek shipping magnate, who denies charges related to instigating violence in Greece, will bankroll the project to bring it up to Diamond League standard. This comes as his plans to expand Forest's City Ground to 52,500 seats are underway.
In a less celebratory note, a 17-year-old boy was hospitalised with serious injuries following crowd trouble at a pre-season rugby league friendly between Warrington and Widnes. Cheshire Police are investigating the incident, which saw footage of fans vaulting barriers go viral and caused a temporary pause in the match.
Finally, a Manchester City fan experienced a moment of sporting heartbreak during the FA Cup tie against Exeter City. The punter had placed a £10 bet on a 10-0 City win at 120-1 odds, only for Exeter's George Birch to score a 90th-minute consolation goal, shattering the potential windfall.
